San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1887-01-20

Fernley and enter its hospitable domains
A gay party on tho shady veranda hailet
his approach.
"0h, Mr.. Travers." said vivacious Nata
lio Warrenton, I'VE We're becoming quit,
alarmed at your absence and just discussing
the idea Of instituting search for you.p
"Your solicitude almost repayeth me fol-
my weary tramp" said he, dropping into
an inviting seat with sigh of relief.
where hast thou been that thou hast
forsaken us thus long, my ami Hast thou
been dancing with the fairies around the
magic oakl" asked Ned Collincote.
Not fairy" said Travers, with rather q
conscious laugh; 1.-THE woods were left tc
solitude ana me. Not even stray robin tc
cover me over with leaves"
"Pooh" said Mr.. Frank Temple, "You
don't expect us to believe that, do you?'
You are not the kind of II man to 60 moon.
ing around, wooing solitude. just as well
confess, Phil. imagine 1 can see you
now, dancing impossible hornpipes with
festive fauus and pirouetting with elflsh
satyrs, while old Daddy Pan, seated astrde
of n frogstool dispensed fantastic melodies
"What do you say, DR.. st, Mari" asked
Natalie. turning to that gentleman, who
stood leaning against n pillar near her,
gazing thoughtfully into space.
n" he asked, coming back from dream.
land. 81 say if there Is fairy to be found
Travers is The man TO do it," and he smiled
as he thought of Mr.. Travers' accomplish
ment III that direction.
1T was no fun, can toll you," said Tra-
vers. defending himself "If you have never
been lost, just try it, md you will find that
it is not the most agreeable sensation in tho
worl1."
"How did You find your way back?" asked
Mr.. Temple, into whose mind burning
and unaccountable suspi ion had crept.
"I--eh?' said Travers, looking blank for
MON mt, but too wise man to betray him
self. "Oh, found was going wrong and
turned back and-here I am
1T may be- so, but have my doubts,''
said Mr.. Temple, sententiously. IF /
We're yon. CMudia," turning to his cousin,
Miss Claudia .Coll.ncote, ~ would keep an
eye on that young man, for l tell you, he
will bear Watching" For this piece of nd
vice he WAS rewarded by a look of contempt
from Miss Collincote, AM look Of wrath
from Mr.. Travers; both of which seemed to
afford him the most satisfactory amuse-
mon!.
| The brtrothal between Mr.. Travers aud
Miss Collincote was n well know fac, but
there were wise ones who shook their heads
and qnoted the Old expression, MANY u
slip"
Mr.. Travers cherished great admiration
for pretty fnce. Miss Collineote not be-
ing possessed of an over-amount OF good
looks herself was extremely jealous of
beauty in others; and rs she was n very
naughty, exacting young lady, this weak
ness of MIR. Travers led to some stormy
scenes that always ended i'll thnt gentlemau's
less. with no inclination to battle with the
world, he considered it duty he owed his
many friends and admirers, and perhaps his
creditors also, to marry an heiress. Conse-
quently he had no idea Of letting Miss Col
lincote's fortune slip through his fingers.
''Coafound women! why can't they be
sensible, / wonder?" he would say. savage
ly, after appcasing his ludy-love's anger
on such occasions.
But this is II question that wiser men than
Mr.. Travers have faied TO answer.
Now, knowing this. it was indiscreet to
say the least of it. for Mr.. Temple to attempt
to plant the seed of discord in his cousins
mind. He, however, being like the little
10y who dearly loved to see whipping 60
ing on provided he was not getting It, was
fond Of seeing his cousin rage if her anger
was not levelel at him. Having great
contempt for Mr.. Travers in general, and
for his conceit in particular, he delighted
in bringing down the vials of wrath upon
his luckless head.
gay party was spending few weeks at
Mrs. ColIincote's country residence, and
picnics aud excursions during the day and
dancing at night formed the amusemeuts
for the time. So, that night while Mr.. Ira
vers' wcll-bYOted feet kept time to the
strains Of Strauss dreamy wa ties, aud
while h. looked down into Miss Coiincote's
dark eyes aud uttered soft nothings into
her willing ears, he was inconsistently
thinking Of pair Of violet eyes, and won
dering il an excursion 10 the woodland the
next day would reward him with sigh, OF
the fair. unknown Lillian.
"What is the programme fer the dayy''
asked Miss Colliucote. as they gathered
around the breakfast table rather laie the
next moIning.
An excursion to the Wishing We'll. " said
her brother whoever w,ll % to the veIl
to-day between the hour. Of twelve and one
will zee the fa-e Of 'he.r futnre bu-laud or
w.fe. as the case may b.. rsAs tel in the
water"
II voller whom shall ses, ." -ays Naia-
lie, DfnsiVely,
''Nsd- Of oour-s, said NIr Tempe its
al LumJug for yoa to 60, Stt4lie.-
Little boy shoald Js sesn. not beard. ~
-aid sh=. ssversly. But her fro-n fel
hzralsssly upon the i8eorIigils Mr Ten
pc.
VI cnIlt-r-ss IL N.t.i., W.-r.-l...